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Moscow's 'Disproportionate' Use of Force Condemned After 1,300 Detained

RFE/RL

   MOSCOW - Police in Moscow detained more than 1,300 people in a day of
   protests against alleged irregularities in the run-up to local
   elections, according to an independent group that monitors crackdowns
   on demonstrations.

   Officers clad in riot gear used batons against demonstrators who had
   gathered outside Moscow City Hall on July 27 and roughly detained
   people.

   The crackdown continued after the protesters moved to other locations
   in the Russian capital, chanting slogans such as "Russia without
   [President Vladimir] Putin!"

   The United States, the European Union, and human rights groups
   denounced what they called the "disproportionate" and "indiscriminate"
   use of force against the demonstrators, who were protesting against the
   refusal of election officials to register several opposition figures as
   candidates in municipal polls in September.

   Opposition leaders said the ban was an attempt to deny them the chance
   to challenge pro-government candidates.

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